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Android 9 arrives with Pie

The latest generation of Android has been officially introduced by Google – and it comes with a heavy focus on artificial intelligence (AI).

According to Google, Android 9 Pie learns from the user and adapts to their usage patterns. Android 9 features an adaptive battery, which learns the apps the user uses the most and prioritises battery for them; adaptive brightness, which learns how the user likes to set their brightness in different environments; and app actions; which predicts what the user will do next and offers suggested actions.

On top of those features, Google will roll out ‘Slices’ later this year. This feature will display relevant information from the user’s favourite apps ‘when they need it’.

Android 9 also comes along with a new system navigation with a single home button. This new system navigation is intended to make it easier to use smartphones as they grow taller. The home button enables users to swipe up to see ‘Overview’, where they can get full-screen previews of their recently used apps. In addition, smart text selection has been extended to Overview.

Moreover, Pie makes it easier to take and edit screenshots, features simplified volume controls, introduces an easier way to manage notifications, and more.

Opposite to all these features likely to get people using their devices more, Google has introduced a new dashboard that helps users understand how much time their spending on their device. There is also an app timer, a ‘do not disturb’ feature, and a wind down feature. All of these features have been released to help improve digital wellbeing.

Android 9 has begun rolling out to Pixel phones. Devices that participated in the Android P beta program from Sony, Xiaomi, HMD Global, Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus, Essential, and qualifying Android One devices will receive the update by the end of autumn. Google says it is working with other partners to launch or upgrade devices to Android 9 this year.